GOOD NEWS FOR GULF OF MEXICO ANGLERS

During an interview with a very disgruntled Gulf of Mexico fisherman, he said, “…it was not worth putting my offshore boat in the water for the sort 3-day season”.

This was a common comment throughout the Gulf States as the weather warmed and anglers started planning their summer fishing outings. Once again the computer models of the National Marine Fisheries Service, (NMFS) were at work to deprive Gulf Coast dwellers of offshore fishing opportunities. But wait…

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) teamed up with supporting the U.S. Department of Commerce to expand the 2017 private recreational fishing season for Gulf of Mexico red snapper.

This plan, will provide 39 additional days of red snapper fishing in federal waters. This action was the result of negotiations between the Department of Commerce and the Gulf states to improve recreational access after a record low three-day federal season was implemented earlier in June. Changes would only apply to private recreational anglers – not commercial or charter fishing.

The extensive and quick push to change the federal season from the 3 day season that was proposed – at least for 2017. On Wednesday, June 14, 2017, The Gulf State Fisheries Directors and the Department of Commerce announced the agreement to extend the federal recreational red snapper season through Labor Day.

Anglers may fish in federal waters on Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week until Labor Day, Sept. 4, 2017.

State waters will also be open during the same days. The news was welcomed by local and state officials.

The announcement comes after twice last week, once through a letter and once in person while at the White House, I asked President Trump to add to the season. Many thanks are due to the president, Secretary Ross, Congressman Bradley Byrne.

On June 2, 2017, the Alabama Governor sent a letter to President Trump asking him to review the data collected by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and to consider lengthening the red snapper season this year. Something Texas has been fighting for years.

Specifically requested was that the 2017 Gulf of Mexico red snapper private recreational season in federal waters be open for 39 more days than originally provided by the federal agency. The Govenor spoke to the president about the request while attending a summit at the White House on June 8.

Today, the Department of Commerce announced that the federal red snapper season has been extended for a cumulative additional 39 days. Alabama state and federal waters will be open for red snapper harvest every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from June 16 through Sept. 3.

The waters will also be open July 3 and 4 and on Labor Day.

“The red snapper fishery provides a major impact to Alabama’s economy,” she said. “Every day the federal season is open helps businesses in Coastal Alabama. The people of Alabama are indebted to Acting Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship. Without his efforts, this announcement would not have been made today. He and his staff have worked for many years to gather data and build coalitions to properly manage this fishery.”

“This is an historic collaboration with the Department of Commerce and the five Gulf States to reset the framework of federal red snapper management,” said Chris Blankenship, acting commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “Secretary Ross and his staff have been very open. This accord is only for the 2017 season, but we are diligently working with our congressional delegation and the Department of Commerce for a long-term fix.”

Although the red snapper season in federal waters has been extended, many anglers believe this extension has created a problem for the future. That being the opening of Federal waters will lead to the annual allowable quota being exceeded, causing a full closure of all Red Snapper fishing in 2018. This comes from the normal “doom sayer’s” along the Gulf Coast.